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Backers of jailed Assessor John Noguez asked to donate bail money

November 3, 2012 | 11:13
am

Supporters of embattled Los Angeles County Assessor John Noguez, who was
charged last month in a sweeping corruption case for allegedly reducing
property assessments in exchange for cash, are now being asked to donate
money so he can make bail.

An email sent Friday afternoon from Noguez’ personal account — signed by
“Friends of John Noguez” — asked for contributions to the assessor’s legal fund.

“As you may know, our friend John Noguez is in trouble and needs our
support more than ever,” the email said. “You can help John by making a
donation today to help him make bail.”

Below was a link to a private website where donations could be made via
credit card to Noguez’s legal fund. There were also instructions on how to
send a check.

Noguez and tax consultant Ramin Salari were arrested last month on
dozens of corruption charges, including bribery and misappropriation of
public funds. Prosecutors allege that Noguez took $185,000 in bribes
from Salari, who charges his clients a percentage
of any tax savings, typically 50%.

Salari is also accused of paying $100,000 in bribes to a lower-level
assessor's office employee, Scott Schenter, to illegally reduce property
values. Schenter pleaded not guilty to fraud charges in May.

On Oct. 23, a judge refused to reduce Noguez's bail below $1.16 million, the amount the county allegedly lost in tax revenue because of the
scheme.

The “Friends of John Noguez” email complained about the district attorney’s treatment of Noguez, and his “outrageous and unfair bail
amount.”

“John deserves an opportunity to tell his side of the story,” the email
said. “Yet John has been in solitary confinement for two weeks,
isolated, and unable to have visitors.”

The email was forwarded to The Times by a source. The source asked to
remain anonymous because of his friendship with the embattled assessor.